Toronto vs Vancouver: Population & Income Compared

Toronto and Vancouver are frequently compared across Canada's largest metros. The numbers put population, growth, income, and age side by side. Here is a clear head-to-head.

Population & growth

Toronto counted 2,794,356 residents in 2021, compared with Vancouver at 662,248. Size, however, is not the same as momentum. Toronto's population rose 2.3% from 2016 to 2021, while Vancouver grew 4.9% over the same period.

In short: Toronto leads on municipal population; Vancouver grew faster during the last census cycle.

Income

Median after-tax household income tells another part of the story. Toronto households sat at $74,000 (median after tax), versus $72,000 in Vancouver. That gap matters for cost-of-living and labour-market conversations across the two cities.

Age profile

Average age was 41.5 years in Toronto and 42.2 in Vancouver. Toronto's younger profile contrasts with Vancouver in this census snapshot.

Quick comparison table

• Population (2021): Toronto 2,794,356 · Vancouver 662,248
• Growth 2016–2021: Toronto 2.3% · Vancouver 4.9%
• Median HH income (after tax): Toronto $74,000 · Vancouver $72,000
• Average age: Toronto 41.5 · Vancouver 42.2

Toronto leads on population; Vancouver grew faster over 2016–2021; Toronto posts higher median after-tax household income, with Toronto slightly younger on average age.

Explore the full datasets

Dig into every section (households, labour, languages, dwellings) on the location profiles, or build your own side-by-side:

• Toronto demographic profile
• Vancouver demographic profile
• Location Comparison tool — select Census subdivision, then Toronto and Vancouver